LOS ANGELES, CA – In its mission to maintain its premium, high-quality selection of melons, and bring new varieties to market, Pacific Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms has announced that it will continue its ongoing partnership with Syngenta Seeds, LLC. The companies have extended their current supply agreement by another ten years.
“The extension of our agreement with Syngenta ensures Dulcinea Farms will continue to offer our customers exclusive access to the best quality melons,” explained Josh Leichter, General Manager, Pacific Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms. “In addition, it enables us to bring new and exciting varieties to the market which is something Dulcinea has been known for since our inception. There will be an increased focus on organics in response to consumer demand driving growth in the organic space in produce.”
The agreement will extend exclusivity on certain current and future generations of Syngenta genetics to 2027. According to a press release, this deal will enable its next generation of innovations in the melon category to be packed under the notable Dulcinea® label. Disease resistance is now being built into the varieties, which will remove the need for seed treatments in organic production operations as well providing broader plant disease resistance in the field.
“As a leader in breeding innovative crop varieties, we look forward to continuing to support Pacific Trellis and Dulcinea in developing melons that meet consumer demands for taste and overall quality,” said Sean Knapp Head of Syngenta’s North America Vegetable Seeds business.
The company noted that as of right now, there are several new varieties which are currently in the final stages of field research and development.
“There is a consumer perception in the market that melons are not as sweet and flavorful in the winter months in recent years with the development of the Long Shelf Life (LSL) varieties”, explains Micki Dirtzu, Director of Marketing. “The innovation that we are bringing to the melon category has the potential to overcome and reshape those perceptions by providing the most consistent quality, texture, and flavor that Dulcinea has become famous for than has previously been possible all year 'round. That is exciting!”
Throughout the rest of this year, new varieties of the Dulcinea® PureHeart® Mini Seedless Watermelon and Dulcinea® Tuscan-Style® Extra Sweet Cantaloupe are being integrated into the company’s production program. Dulcinea® SunnyGold® Yellow Flesh Mini Seedless Watermelons complete the brand’s premium portfolio.
“We currently grow melons 52 weeks of the year, but these new developments will enable us to extend our geographic suitability for our variety portfolio without compromising brix level, texture, and the outstanding taste consumers ask for by name,” continued Leichter. “These new varieties improve the consistency in quality of the Dulcinea melons grown south of the United States border while expanding our logistical footprint.”
Pacific Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms and Syngenta Seeds collaborate with each other throughout their extensive research and development process. This includes ideating and selecting which new melon varieties will move forward based on feedback from years of testing, iterating, and perfecting each melon at Syngenta’s state-of-the-art facility in Woodland, CA, and other evaluation sites in the U.S., Mexico, and Central America.
As companies continue to bring new innovations to the melon category, continue to count on AndNowUKnow for the latest.
